Pacquiao, “Mani”, on the Street

Crunchy, warm, salty, an alternative when you are hungry, during a long journey—peanuts. (“mani” in Tagalog)

                You stop by to buy it from sellers along the way.  You are relieved to see it when a vendor enters the bus.  If you really love nuts, you must read this.

                Recently, the Bureau of Food and Drug Administration (BFAD) warns us about buying peanuts on the street.

                Because of longer period of exposure to sun and polluted air, peanuts produces the most dangerous carcinogen called aflatoxin.  “Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring contaminant produced by mold... These molds grow on crops, especially peanuts, tree nuts, corn, wheat, and seed oils (i.e., cottonseed) that are stored under conditions of warmth and humidity... Aflatoxins may also be associated with liver cell cancer in humans in Africa and Asia where peanuts are a dietary mainstay. Recent research has shown a strong association between long-term dietary aflatoxin exposure in conjunction with hepatitis B (a viral infectious disease of the liver) and increased rates of liver cancer.” 

                BFAD is currently conducting another research related to peanut butters.

                This news was announced by Dr. Edinell Calvario, from Aksyon TV, during their Healing Galing program.  She suggested that vendors should pack the peanuts in papers instead of putting it to plastics.  Papers absorb moist and peanuts will be prevented from acquiring molasses.  It will also be better if they put desiccant and use a container made from styrofoam instead of the usual plastic container.

Source: http://ehtrust.org/fact-sheets-facts-about-aflatoxin/
Image Source: www.google.com